The issue begins with a critical analysis by M. Labus in the International Economics and Business section, where he examines Serbia’s strategic position within a rapidly changing global landscape. As the shift from neoliberal to strategic competition redefines international trade and economic alliances, he explores the complexities of deglobalization and the challenges of protecting small, open economies like Serbia amid such seismic changes. Continuing the theme of sustainability, a duo of authors, I. Popović Petrović and R. Dragutinović Mitrović, presents the second paper in this section, focusing on the implementation of trade facilitation measures by SMEs in Serbia and the CEFTA 2006 region. They used data from the UN Global Survey on Digital and Sustainable Trade Facilitation, revealing that CEFTA 2006 signatories, including Serbia, did not fully implement many of these measures between 2017-2023. However, Serbia made significant progress, outperforming the CEFTA average and even developed countries by 2023, particularly in areas that support SMEs as key drivers of sustainable and inclusive growth.
The Finance section features research by M. Milašinović, J. Ognjanović and A. Mitrović that casts the spotlight on the impact of intellectual capital on bank profitability, particularly during the tumultuous period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Their study shows how various components of intellectual capital have influenced the financial performance of banks, offering key insights for maintaining stability and growth in knowledge-intensive sectors.
In the Technology Change and Innovation section, a team of authors, B. Boorová, V. M. Mijušković, S. Aćimović and D. Đurđić, provides an in-depth analysis of how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing logistics within the framework of Logistics 4.0. Through a case study of DHL, they demonstrate the transformative power of AI in optimizing operations and enhancing supply chain resilience. Following this, the second paper in this section, written by Lj. Radonjić, Lj. Bojić, and M. Novaković addresses the challenges and opportunities of integrating blockchain technology into the public sector. Their comprehensive review highlights blockchain’s potential to enhance procedural efficiency and data security, despite the legal and economic hurdles associated with its implementation. In the third paper of this section, M. Strugar Jelača, S. Marić, V. Vuković, L. Raković, R. Bjekić and M. Aleksić investigate the intersection of digital entrepreneurship and sustainable development. Their findings illustrate how high-tech and digital entrepreneurship contribute to the structural changes essential for achieving sustainable growth across various economic sectors.
This issue concludes with a paper in the Economic Growth and Development section, written by M. Dimitrijević, which is dedicated to the agricultural sector. The paper underscores the importance of innovation for sustainable agricultural development, particularly in the transition from purely productivity-based technologies to a more comprehensive approach that encompasses economic, ecological, and social aspects. The author analyzes innovation in the agri-food sectors of both highly innovative countries and Serbia, highlighting the need for Serbia to adopt similar practices to improve input productivity.
